health sector seems to be at a standstill as the three major
health-related Millennium Development Goals have not been met.
Okorocha spoke on Monday at the third Progressive Governance Lecture
series with the theme; 'Dealing with the challenge of Building a
Physically Healthy Nation through Preventive, Protective and
Innovative Medicare' in Owerri.
The governor, who is the chairman, Progressives Governors' Forum,
identified the health-related MDGs as reduction in infant mortality
rate, maternal mortality rate and the occurrence of HIV, malaria and
tuberculosis.
He explained that the challenge the country was facing could be
attributed to the dearth of preventive system, adding that the
Nigerian health sector has been a source of concern in spite of
efforts made to improve the sector.
Okorocha pointed out that the focus of the programme was to address
pressing economic and social issues confronting the nation.
Assuring that healthcare facilities will be made available in the
country when the All Progressives Congress wins the 2015 presidential
election, Okorocha argued that this would stop Nigerians from
travelling abroad for healthcare.
He said, "The Nigerian healthcare sector seems to be at a standstill.
As it is, the three health-related Millennium Development Goals of
reductions in infant mortality rate, maternal mortality rate, and the
occurrence of HIV, malaria and tuberculosis have not been met.
"We cannot afford to take each problem area one after the other, that
will be time consuming. In truth, a lot of the difficulty we face
could be attributed to the dearth in a preventive system.
"I believe our presence here is reflective of the commitment of all
APC states to the provision of the best health care services on the
African continent.
"When we take over the Federal Government in 2015, we will ensure that
Nigerians no longer need to travel abroad for healthcare because the
best and most efficient healthcare facilities will be built in
Nigeria."
Also speaking, the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria
Governors' Forum, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, corroborated the report of three
new Ebola cases in his state and added that affected persons had been
isolated at the temporary centre in Oduoha in Emohua Local Government
Area.
He said, "We have asked those who have symptoms to also come to us.
About three persons who have been confirmed with the Ebola virus
infection are now receiving medical treatment at the temporary
isolation centre, Oduoha in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
"The preventive and protective measures my administration has adopted
is tracking and tracing of the Ebola victims, and we are very serious
about it."
In his speech, the APC National Chairman and Chairman of the occasion,
Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, declared that the party stood for good
governance, adding that over 170 million energetic and vibrant
supporters across the country would deliver the party in the 2015
general elections.
"The 15 years rule of the Peoples Democratic Party has come to an end.
The exact way we want to do it is to ensure that our people know the
truth, and the PDP led government will come to an end in February
2015.
"The APC states have a bigger picture in governance by taking the
welfare of the people first. We engage consultants to find jobs for
the people. Every Nigerian wants change and that is why they look up
to the party as the only vehicle for change," Odigie-Oyegun added.
No comments:
Post a Comment